Adjustments to Traditional Procedures for Identifying Underserved Students: Successes and Failures

Abstract

Thirty-nine school districts were surveyed in a study to examine the success or failure of alternative strategies for identifying gifted students in school districts serving large numbers of culturally diverse students. Many districts listed ethnic/linguistic minorities and economically disadvantaged students as important underserved populations. Alternative identification procedures were primarily intended to expand the assessment basis. Factors most associated with success of procedures included school personnel and assessment practices. Factors causing problems included testing and policies at state and local levels, as well as a lack of recognition of giftedness as it is manifested in diverse cultural populations.

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